Watchdogs have warned people not to fall for a scam after families in Norwich and Great Yarmouth were sent letters offering a share of a $9.8m inheritance because they share their surname with the deceased.
The letters claim to come from a bank in Hong Kong, which is a real bank), but they have been posted in Essex using second-class stamps.
Trading standards officers at Norfolk County Council say scammers often use the name of a real bank, and sometimes the name of a real employee or director at the bank, to make their scams seem more plausible.
However, they usually invite consumers to make contact through 'disposable' email addresses and telephone numbers which do not relate to the real business.
For further advice on scams go to Consumer Direct at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or call 08454 04 05 06.
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